labyrinthine

[ lab-uh-rin-thin, -theen ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling a labyrinth.
2. complicated; tortuous:

   the labyrinthine byways of modern literature.

labyrinthine

/ ˌlæbəˈrɪnθaɪn; ˌlæbəˈrɪnθɪk; ˌlæbəˈrɪnθɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to a labyrinth
2. resembling a labyrinth in complexity

Derived Forms

• ˌlabyˈrinthically, adverb

Other Words From

• laby·rinthi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of labyrinthine¹

First recorded in 1740–50; labyrinth + -ine ¹

Example Sentences

Although chicanery happens on a local level, Jackson observed that the unwieldy and labyrinthine nature of America's electoral system serves as a built-in protection against outright election theft.

From Salon

As the US heads into a presidential election, Gabriel Gatehouse dives back into the labyrinthine rabbit warren of American conspiracy culture.

From BBC

Baroness Hallett describes a labyrinthine system of committees, partnerships and boards that had responsibility for civil emergency planning.

From BBC

As you ascended the labyrinthine stairs of scaffolding, you’d eventually arrive at the open top level where you’d take in a 360-degree view of Burning Man, which, especially at nighttime, was a visual smorgasbord of swirling lights and nebulous fire.

From Los Angeles Times

Some placentas have evolved to be disklike, some are leaf-shaped, some ring-shaped, heart-shaped; some are ridged, branched, labyrinthine, or weblike.

From Slate

Related Words

• convoluted
• intricate
• meandering
• serpentine
• tangled
• tortuous
• twisting
• winding